The Blues for Me

This wood-engraved political cartoon depicts a working-class man and his dog, captioned 'The Blues for Me.' Published in The People, it addresses the duties of electors before a general election, urging voters to consider the nation's interests over partisan loyalty. The figure's shabby dress and associated text linking him to a 'Lancashire burglar' reflect Victorian-era class caricature, portraying the poor as morally suspect. The composition draws on the tradition of English satirical prints—from Hogarth through Gillray and Rowlandson—which used exaggerated features and social types to critique politics and manners. Such penny-press engravings reached mass audiences and established visual conventions later adopted by comic strips and illustrated journalism.